Ima yori wa mukashigatari wa kokoro sen ayashiki made ni sode shiore keri

今よりは昔語りは心せん
あやしきまでに袖しをれけり

Roma-ji: Ima yori wa mukashigatari wa kokoro sen ayashiki made ni sode shiore keri
English Translation: From now on I'll take
care when talking of old times—
to a strange degree,
it seems, my sleeves have become
drenched and limp with falling tears.
Meaning: From now on I will be careful about talking of the old days, for my sleeves, to a degree that surprises even me, have been soaked through with tears.
Commentary: Miscellaneous Poems 1044

Headnote continued from the preceding poem: "Also on the topic 'Meeting a friend and longing for the past'"
At the same gathering as the preceding poem, Saigyō composed on the topic "Meeting a friend and longing for the past." Talking of old times with an old friend, he found tears welling up beyond anything he could account for, soaking his sleeves, so from now on he will be wary of such talk; the depth of his nostalgia is expressed through this paradox.
Where the preceding poem guessed at the feelings of the one who inherited the house, this poem sings of nostalgia as the poet's own tears, the arrangement pairing another's heart with his own.

First line, “ima yori wa”: from now on, leading into a resolve.
Second line, “mukashigatari wa”: tales of the old days, set apart by wa.
Third line, “kokoro sen”: n expresses will, "I will take care," and the poem breaks after the third line.
Fourth line, “ayashiki made ni”: to a degree that seems strange even to oneself.
Fifth line, “sode shiore keri”: shioru is to be drenched with tears; keri marks sudden realization, the surprise after such talk.
Author: Saigyō
Source: Sankashu
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